Drapery heading



Jan. 13, 1959 PjQDERMANN 2,858,286

, DRAPERY HEADING Filed Aug. 8, 1957 IN V EN TOR.

044/410 1? mam/W United States PatentO DRAPERY HEADLNG Donald P. Odermann, Burbank, Calif.

Application August 8, 1957, Serial No. 677,002

11 Claims. (Cl; 160-348) This inventionrelates in general to acurtain or drapery assembled in close proximity withthesuspended edge of a curtain on drapery panel, imparts to such panel the same characteristic folding'as that of said headingmember, thereby producing a newand pleasing effect in cafe and other curtain heating styling.

As is well known, uniform distribution of curtain and drapery fullness is controlled either by providing regularly spaced pleats along the width of the curtain or drapery panel or by manually positioning individual hooks or rings along the supporting edges of such curtain or drapery panels for their suspension from curtain rods.

Certain treatments of cafetcurtains provide for fullness, d1str1bution and rod suspension by the use of a scalloped heading whereby a plurality of uniformly spaced attachment points are created which are in turn connected to the supporting curtain rod by means of rings which may befastened to said attachment points in any of several conventional ways, such as by sewing said rings into place,

panel by-the placementof the loops or hooks by which the curtain material is suspended from a supporting rod.

Further, while many different types and styles of cafe curtainshave been developed together with other heading-lreatment for curtains and draperies, of many different stylesand designs, there is a constant and ever present a desire on the part of persons designing curtain and drapery material for residential and commercial use to provide still further new andidifferent stylesand designs. Thus, means for providing an entirely new and different appearance for such headings could well be expected to find a ready market.

It is therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide in a simple manner for automatically distributing curtain and drapery fullness along a supporting rod and at the same time tocreate a new and pleasing effect at 'the' heading of curtain and drapery material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a means, as aforesaid, .by which there also may be provided a simulated scalloped heading which is obtainable without the difficulty and tedium normally attendant upon the conventional methods of making such headings.

A furthertobject of the invention is to provide an improved heading structurefor a curtain or drapery panel wherein an enlarged: heading hem or casing is provided in the heading edge of the curtain and apre-fold heading member-is provided-for removable insertion into-said casing,: the folds being such thatthe combined curtain and structure and more particularly to'a fold-forming heading member of pre-creased stiffening material which, when ire 2 a heading member will have the desired appearance, such as that of a cafe curtain.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a heading structure for a curtain, as aforesaid, which is easy to fabricate, which is easy to maintain and launder,

\ which provides a pre-selectable drape in the finished curtain and which provides a greater body in the heading edge of the curtain and thereby permits the use of clamp type hanger rings which can be quickly and easily removed from the curtain for the purpose of laundering.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of product upon reading the following specification and examiningthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a broken side elevational view of the heading structure of a cafe, curtain embodying the inventionand mounted upon a curtain rod.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of a pro-folded heading member showing said member in the flat.

Figure 3 is a top view of the heading member shown in Figure 2 when it is in its normal folded position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along; the line VV of Figure 1.

For convenience in description, the terms upper or heading, as used herein, will have reference to the upper portion of the curtain structure to which this, invention relates when it is in its normal position of use, which is shownin Figure l. The terms inner, outer and derivatives thereof, will have referencerto the geometric center of said curtain and parts, associated therewith General description in order to meet the objects and purposes of thisinvention, there has been provided a curtain or drapery structure having a relatively stiff, but resiliently flexible, heading member, which is relatively wide by comparison with its thickness, and is affixed snugly but removably along the upper edge of a curtain or a drapery panel. In apreferred embodiment, a relatively wide hem is provided along the upper or heading edge of such panel for receiving said heading member, said hemt being, in the embodiment illustrated, open at least atone end thereof and normally being open at bothends. Said heading member is pre-folded beforeuse with a curtain or drapery panel so that, when it is inserted into said hem, it causes the panel to fold and drape in a pre-selected manner, whereby, the fullness of the panel may be easily and uniformly distributed across the width of the panel without special attention or effort on the part of the person installing said panel, in place. More specifically, the folds in the heading member produce a plurality of sturdy, uniformly spaced peaks or points alongthe heading edge of the panel which are easily engageableby hanger rings,

such as clamp-type rings, for supporting the panel upon a curtainrod.

Detailed; description As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 5, one desirable embodiment of the curtain structure lll, to which this invention relates, is comprised of a curtain or drapery panel ll, which is normally, but not necessarily, of a fabric material. The panel ll is provided with a relatively wide hem or casing 12 adjacent to its heading edge 13, which hem provides anelongated fiat sleeve or pocket 14. The hem 12 may be provided in a substantially conventional manner by folding over a portion of the panel a material adjacent to an edge 16 thereof and. then stitching such portion along the broken line 17 remainder of the'panel.

(Figure l)"to the Accordingly, the stitching 17 3 will be, and preferably is, substantially parallel with the heading edge 13 of the panel 11. At least one end of the hem 12 is left open for insertion of the heading member 20 into said pocket 14, and preferably both ends are left open.

The heading member 20 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) is comprised of an elongated strip of relatively thin, flat and stiff material having a width which is somewhat less than the width of the pocket 14 within the casing 12. Said heading member 20 is preferably fabricated from a strip of stiff, yet flexible, material, such as a cloth which is impregnated with a permanent sizing r stiffening composition. Buckram is one material of this character, and its essential characteristic is resilient flexibility up to a relatively high yield point. For the purposes of this invention, it is essen tial that the material in said heading member be capable of being bent or folded and that, when so folded or bent, the material will tend to provide considerable resistance against being straightened.

In order to facilitate bending and the location of the desired bends or folds in the heading member 20, a plu rality of closely spaced perforations 22 may, if desired, be provided through the heading member 29 and aligned along the desired fold lines 21.. This, in some instances, effects an easier fold and also provides a natural hinge line, but is not in all cases necessary and, in fact, will more often be omitted.

In this particular embodiment, the fold lines 21 are in groups of four, which groups are disposed at uniform intervals along the lengthwise extent of the heading member 20.

Considering one such group 25 (Figure 2), there are in this embodiment two sloping fold lines 23 and 24, which extend downwardly from the upper edge 26 of the heading member and converge at a point 27 disposed between the upper and lower edges of said heading member. Said fold lines 23 and 24 are preferably disposed at 45 degree angles to the upper edge 26 of said member 20 and, therefore, are at right angles to each other. The fold lines 28 and 29, which are continuations of each other, extend through the convergence point 27 to both the upper edge 26 of said member 20 and to its lower edge 31, and are preferably perpendicular to both edges. However, the portions of the member so adjacent to the fold line 28 are bent around such line in one direction, whereas the portions of the member 2t adjacent to the fold line are bent around this line in the opposite direction.

The next adiacent group 32 of fold lines 21 along the heading member Ztl is comprised of angular fold lines 23a and 24a and vertical fold lines 28a and 2%, which are preferably disposed in substantially the same pattern as set forth hereinabove with respect to the first group 25 of fold lines 21. However, the direction of bend of the fabric in the heading member 20 around the fold lines in the second group 32, is reversed from the direction of bend around the fold lines in the first group 25.

In order to get the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bends along each of the fold lines 23, 24 and 29 are in the same direction, thereby permitting the portions of the heading member adjacent to those fold lines to move toward each other on the same side of the heading member 20, when said member is folded. However, the fold of the material around the fold line 28 is in the opposite direction, such being necessitated in order to permit the above described folding of the fabric around the other three lines. This manner of folding is reversed with respect to the fold lines 23a, 24a, 28a, and 29a. The result of this folding, as shown in Figure 3, is to produce a zig-zag pattern in the heading member 20. Furthermore, this folding arrangement produces upwardly extending peaks 33 in the heading member 20 and corresponding peaks 34 in the heading edge 13 of the curtain 11 between each pair of adjacent groups of fold lines 21, such as the groups 25 and 32. Additional groups of fold lines 21 provide additional peaks 33 in the'heading member 2t) and peaks 34 along the heading edge 13, as illustrated in Figure l. The fold lines 23 and 24 combine with the upper edge 26 of the member 20 to define triangular portions 35 which fold sidewardly, as described hereinafter, to provide said peaks 33. The folded portions may then be treated where appropriate, as with heat, to cause them to remain resiliently in folded position and to further cause them to tend to resiliently resist moving out of their folded position.

T he heading member 20 (Figure 2) having been folded along the lines 21, as described above, is now held in a relatively flat position while it is inserted into the pocket 14. Hanger devices, such as clip rings 36, or the like, are then secured to, or caused to engage, the peaks 34 produced by the heading member 20 in the heading edge 13 of the curtain 11. The curtain 11 is now ready to mount upon a curtain rod 37 in a conventional manner.

The foregoing description has been directed to a curtain structure wherein the heading member 20 is arranged for quick and easy insertion into said pocket 14 or removal from said pocket. However, it will be recognized that, where desired, the heading member 20 can be stitched into the pocket 14 or otherwise fastened upon the surface of the curtain, as either a permanent or removable part of the curtain structure.

Operation The heading member 20 is assembled, as described above, with the curtain 11 prior to suspension of said curtain upon the rod 37 by means of the hanger clip rings 36. During such assembly, said heading member 20 is urged into a relatively fiat position, as shown in Figure 2, after which one end of the member is inserted into one end of the casing 12. Said heading member 20 can be pulled, in any convenient way, through the casing 12 to its proper position therewithin, as by means of attaching a string to the leading end of the member and drawing it through the casing. After the heading member is in its proper position within the casing 12, said heading member can be caused to assume its normal zig-zag position, as shown in Figure 3, by pushing the two ends of the heading member 20, hence of the casing 12, toward each other.

The lower fold lines 29 and 29a, being in alternating opposite directions, will provide the zig-zag pattern shown in Figure 3. The fold lines 23, 24, 23a and 24a, Will cause the triangular portions 35 of the curtain, bounded by these fold lines and the heading edge 13, to fold downwardly and sidewardly in alternating directions, also as shown in Figure 3, to produce the scalloped effect shown in Figure 1. The fold lines 28 and 28a facilitate this bending of the casing 12 along the fold lines 23, 24, 23a and 24a.

Ordinarily, the material, such as buckram, from which the heading member 20 is fabricated, is sufficiently stiff and resilient to provide the desired zig-Zag pattern and scalloped effect, as soon as it is released within the casing 12, into which it is inserted. This is due to the fact that the heading member 20, having been folded as discussed hereinabove, will resiliently resist return to a flat position. The fold lines 21 provide for a convenient hinging effect which facilitates opening or closing of the curtain by moving it along the curtain rod.

The heading member 20 serves not only to provide predetermined bends and folds in the fabric of the curtain, but also to strengthen that portion of the curtain 11 adjacent to the heading edge 13 thereof. Thus, there is less likelihood that the hanger clip rings 36 will be ripped away from the curtain 11, whether they are clamp type rings as shown in the drawings, or whether they are conventional eyelets which must be stitched to the peaks 34.

When it becomes desirable to launder the curtains 11, the hanger rings 36 are first removed from the curtain, after which the heading member 20 is removed from the casing-lzby merely withdrawing it therefrom: Hence, it becomesunnecessary to subjectttherheading member 20 to. the effects ofwater or other cleaningxsolutions-and heat, which may remove thesizing oraotherwise damage the shape aud texture of the *headingn-member. However, where. theaheadingmembenhasa permanent sizingtwhich is notsalfected. by the cleaning *solutions; or.v by :limited heat, said heading member 20 cantremain in the casing, if so desired.

It will be recognizedythat, where circumstances permit, the convergence tpoints' 27 in each group of fold lines may be positioned along the lower edge 31 of the member 20, thereby"eliminating the -need for the fol'd"*lines 29, although thisat present appears to provide a less desirable structure.

(Although a particular, preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed'hei'einabove for fillustrative purposes','1t will be" understood'tliat variations or modifications of such disclosure which lie within the scope of the appended claims, are fully contemplated.

I claim:

l. A curtain structure suspendible from a rod, comprising: a flexible panel having a relatively wide and flat casing extending along the heading edge thereof; an elongated, relatively thin heading member disposed within said casing, said heading member having a plurality of bends arranged in uniform groups located at intervals along the lengthwise extent of said heading member, said bends being arranged to provide a plurality of upwardly extending peaks along said heading edge, one peak being disposed between each pair of said groups of bends; and a plurality of hanger elements, each element being connected to one of said peaks and supportable upon said rod.

2. Heading structure for a cafe-type curtain, comprising: a curtain panel, having a relatively wide and flat casing extending along the heading edge thereof and defining a flat pocket open at opposite ends thereof; and an elongated, relatively thin heading member slidably and removably inserted into said pocket through at least one end thereof, said heading member being fabricated from resiliently flexible material, which is substantially stiffer than the material in said panel, said member having a plurality of bends along fold lines which are arranged in groups located at substantially uniform intervals along said member, the fold lines in said groups being arranged to provide a plurality of upwardly extending peaks at said intervals along said heading edge.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the fold lines in each said group are arranged in the form of a Y having an upward extension on its stem and said heading member is perforated at intervals along said fold lines to facilitate said bending.

4. A heading member for a curtain having a relatively wide hem, along the heading edge thereof, comprising: an elongated, relatively flat and wide strip of resiliently flexible material, said material being substantially stiffer than the fabric in the curtain, and said strip being slidably and snugly receivable into the space defined by said hem; means defining in said member a plurality of fold lines arranged in groups located atuniform intervals along the lengthwise extent of said strip, the fold lines in each group including a pair of fold lines extending upwardly and diverging with respect to each other to provide an upwardly extending peak along the upper edge of said hem between each adjacent pair of said groups.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said means defining said fold lines comprises a plurality of uniformly spaced perforations through said member, and wherein the fold lines in each said group are arranged to form a V having a central bisector.

6. A heading member according to claim 4 wherein each group of fold lines consists of a first vertically extending fold line extending upwardly from the lower edge of said strip partway to the top edge thereof and a pair of upwardly diverging fold lines extending up wardlyfrom the upper endtof said first fold to the't'op' edge of .said strip.

7. A heading member according to claim 6 wherein said pair of upwardly diverging fold linessare foldedin thesame direction as said first vertically extending fold line; and including a second vertically extending fold line extendingupwardly from the upper end of said first vertically extendingfold linetothe top edge of said-strip, said second vertically extending fold line being midway between said pair of diverging fold lines and being'folded in the opposite direction from said first vertically extending fold line.

8. A heading membertfor cafe-type curtain, comprising: an elongated strip of thin, relatively stiflly flexible material .adapted to 'be placed in a substantially vertical position, said strip having a series of longitudinally spaced, upwardly extending fold lines dividing said strip into a series of vertically extending sections, said fold lines being alternately folded in opposite directions so that adjacent sections are adapted to lie at an angle to each other whereby said section may be arranged in substantially Zig-zag fashion, said sections each having a pair of upwardly converging side edges defining a peak along the upper edge of each section.

9. A heading member receivable within a hem along the heading edge of a cafe-type curtain, said heading member comprising: an elongated strip of thin, relatively stiflly flexible material adapted to be placed in a substantially vertical position, said strip having a series of longitudinally equally space, vertically extending fold lines dividing said strip into a series of substantially planar, vertically extending sections, said section being substantially identical in size and shape, said fold lines being alternately folded in opposite directions so that adjacent sections are adapted to lie at an angle to each other whereby said sections may be arranged in substantially zig-zag fashion, said sections each having a pair of side edges extending upwardly, respectively, from the upper end of adjacent vertically extending fold lines and converging in an upward direction to define a peak on the upper edge of said strip located substantially midway between adjacent vertically extending fold lines, the peaks in the section of said strip lying substantially within a common vertical plane.

10. A heading member receivable within a hem along the heading edge of a cafe-type curtain, said heading member comprising: an elongated, substantially rectangular strip of thin, relatively flexible material, adapted to be placed in a substantially vertical position, said strip having a series of longitudinally spaced groups of fold lines, each group of fold lines including a first vertically extending fold line extending upwardly from the lower edge of said strip partway to the top edge thereof, a pair of upwardly diverging fold lines extending upwardly from the upper end of, and folded in the same direction as, said first vertically extending fold line to the top edge of said strip, and a second vertically extending fold line extending upwardly from the upper end of said first vertically extending line to the top edge of said strip; corresponding fold lines in adjacent groups of fold lines being folded in opposite directions so that said first vertically extending fold line and said pair of diverging fold lines of said groups of fold lines define a series of sections of said strip, adjacent sections of said strip being adapted to lie at an angle to each other so that said sections may be arranged in substantially zig-zag fashion, said sections each having a pair of upwardly converging side edges defining a peak along the upper edge of each section.

11. A heading member receivable within a hem along the leading edge of a cafe-type curtain, said heading member comprising: an elongated, rectangular strip of thin, relatively flexible material adapted to be placed in a substantially vertical position, said strip having a series of longitudinally equally spaced groups of fold lines, each group of fold lines including a first vertically extending fold line extending upwardly from the lower edge of said strip partway to the top edge thereof, a pair of up wardly diverging fold lines extending upwardly from, and lying at equal angles to, the upper end of said first vertically extending fold line end extending to the top edge of said strip, said pair of diverging fold lines being folded the same direction as said first vertically extending fold line, and a second vertically extending fold line extending upwardly from the upper end of said first vertically extending fold line to the top edge of said strip, said second vertically extending strip being folded in the opposite direction as said first vertically extending fold line; corresponding fold lines in adjacent groups of fold lines be ing folded in opposite directions so that said first vertically extending fold line and said pair of diverging fold lines of said groups of fold lines define a series of sections of said strip, adjacent sections of said strip being adapted to lie at angle to each other so that said sections may be arranged in substantially zig-zag fashion, said sections each having a pair of upwardly converging side edges defining a peak along the upper edge of each section, said pair of diverging fold lines and said second vertically extending fold line of each group of fold lines defining a pair of triangular portions between the side edges of adjacent sections, said triangular portions being adapted to extend transverse, respectively, to the planes of the adjacent sections and being joined to each other on said second vertically extending fold line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 112,915 Hecht Mar. 21, 1871 2,124,650 Chessler July 26, 1938 2,595,549 Sherman May 6, 1952 

